dyton mupawaenda
Gibson Mhaka-Zimpapers Politics Hub
PEACE, rightly regarded as a non-negotiable commodity, is a prerequisite for development, as it creates an enabling environment for societal progress.
It serves as the bedrock upon which sustainable economic growth and societal progress are built.
Conversely, peaceful environments cultivate stability, attract investment and foster the conditions necessary for prosperity.
However, unsanctioned protests, like yesterday’s attempt that flopped dismally, are economically disruptive and derail progress on structural reforms, directly undermining the Second Republic’s efforts to rebuild and transform Zimbabwe towards achieving its 2030 goal of upper-middle-income status.
While the right to protest is a fundamental democratic principle, it must be exercised responsibly, with careful planning to ensure that it does not hinder economic development or disturb peace.
The timing of unsanctioned protests, particularly as Zimbabwe prepares to host its 45th independence celebrations, carries a deeply unsettling message.
These celebrations are meant to symbolise national unity, resilience, and the hard-won peace achieved after a protracted liberation struggle.
To disrupt this period of national commemoration with unsanctioned demonstrations is to undermine the very essence of what independence represents.
It disregards the sacrifices made for peace and stability, values that are not merely abstract concepts but the bedrock upon which national development is built.
It is the most cherished value, forged in the fires of the liberation struggle and solidified through decades of nation-building.
Unsanctioned protests, especially those occurring during a time of national celebration, threaten to erode this hard-won peace.
They introduce instability, discourage investment, and divert resources away from essential development projects.
Such actions betray the spirit of unity and progress that the 45th independence anniversary aims to celebrate and ultimately jeopardise the nation’s collective aspirations for a prosperous future.
Ahead of the unsanctioned protests, President Mnangagwa urged everyone to carry out their normal daily activities and ignore calls by some ‘chameleon-like’ characters threatening to cause chaos in the country.
President Mnangagwa also slammed these individuals, stating that they were “enemies of progress”, who sought to destabilise the nation.
Despite the threats and calls for disruption, President Mnangagwa’s words resonated with the general populace as the entire country snubbed the protests.
While some shops closed in fear of violence, most remained open, while workers reported to their jobs, and daily life continued without significant interruption, demonstrating a widespread adherence to President Mnangagwa’s call for calm and normalcy.
As the nation prepares to host the 45th Independence celebrations, it’s crucial to acknowledge the President’s consistent calls for citizens to prioritise peace and national stability.
Notably, during his address at the interment of National Hero Cde Tinaye Chigudu at the National Heroes’ Acre in February, he asserted that “no amount of economic chicanery, mudslinging, and discord should be allowed to derail the country’s irreversible course towards modernisation, industrialisation, and development”.
“The long-enduring spirit of national pride and collective loyalty to the nation remains our cardinal beacon.
“As citizens of this country, wherever we are and whatever socio-economic activities we may be undertaking, the interests of Zimbabwe must remain at the core of our focus as we build our country brick by brick, stone upon stone. Zimbabwe inyika yechipikirwa,” he said then.
President Mnangagwa also rallied all Zimbabweans, both within the country and those in the diaspora to pull in the same direction as one people for the achievement of national aspirations.
His message serves as a reminder that a peaceful and stable nation is the bedrock upon which meaningful development and national pride can be built, especially as the country comes together to commemorate its independence.
Leading up to the planned protests, several voices also expressed apprehension about the potential consequences of such actions.
Adding to these concerns, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere urged Zimbabweans to disregard calls for protests being propagated by “cyber terrorists” and amplified through social media.
He further reassured citizens that the country’s security sector was well-equipped to manage any disruptive activities, emphasising the Government’s readiness to maintain peace and order.
This reassurance proved effective, as the populace largely heeded the call to ignore the protests, resulting in a day of normalcy and demonstrating the security sector’s capability to maintain stability.
“As official Government spokesman, I would like to assure the nation that peace and stability continue to prevail in our country in terms of the Constitution, including on the 31st of March 2025, and all Zimbabweans should disregard misinformation and disinformation being peddled on social media platforms by cyber terrorists,” said Dr Muswere.
“We also like to assure the people that law-enforcement agencies have more than enough capacity to deal with any illegal activities that might take place in our country. As a Government, we have taken note of artificial intelligence-generated videos and messages from comedian-cum-terrorists who seek to misinform and dis-inform the public.
“Those who want to create despondency, alarm and anarchy will be dealt with in terms of the law. No one has the right to overthrow a constitutionally elected Government.
“So labour, business, learners, and the generality of all Zimbabweans should continue to do their business as usual as the security sector has more than enough capacity to deal with any illegal activities in our country.”
Zanu PF national secretary for war veterans, Cde Douglas Mahiya, also strongly criticised the protests, branding them as “reckless and destabilising”.
He also stated that the protests were retrogressive, implying that they would hinder the nation’s progress.
It is important to note that protests represent a regressive step deliberately aimed at destabilising the hard-won peace that the Second Republic, under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, has diligently championed.
Such actions threaten to undermine the nation’s progress and divert resources away from critical development initiatives.
By sowing discord and disrupting the prevailing stability, these protests directly contradict the President’s vision of a unified and prosperous Zimbabwe, revealing a clear intent to derail the country’s trajectory toward modernisation and industrialisation.
They are a counterproductive force, hindering the collective efforts to build a better future for all citizens.
Furthermore, protests pose a direct threat to the safety of ordinary citizens. Historical evidence demonstrates that demonstrations engineered for political gain frequently escalate into violence, resulting in property destruction, injuries, and even fatalities.
Ironically, the very citizens these activists claim to represent often become collateral damage in their pursuit of political agendas.
The Government, demonstrably fulfilling its responsibility to uphold law and order, deserves commendation for ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
The fact that Monday unfolded as a day of uninterrupted business as usual, despite the much-hyped disturbances orchestrated by rogue elements, stands as a testament to the Government’s effective and proactive measures.
By maintaining a stable environment, authorities shielded innocent citizens from potential chaos and allowed for the continuation of normal daily life, showcasing their commitment to the well-being of the nation and upholding the values of peace and unity essential for a proud and independent nation.
Online Reporter